Ergonomic workpiece positioner

Abstract

A ball and socket type universal workpiece support is provided that is locked in its normal state. A balanced system of spring force is provided to lock the positioner in any position chosen by the operation. It will remain in the selected position until fluid pressure is provided to release it for movement to another position.

I claim: 
     
       1. A work holder device comprising: a base member;   piston means located above the base member;   a plurality of equally spaced coil springs located between the base member and piston means;   said springs being in compression to urge the piston means upwardly;   locking means positioned on the piston means and having a spherical upper surface;   a ball located on the said spherical upper surface of the locking means;   housing means partially surrounding the ball to retain it in position on the locking means;   arm means secured to the ball to receive a work piece;   said plurality of springs providing sufficient friction between the ball and said spherical surface to lock said ball against rotation within the housing means;   a fluid chamber in operative relationship with said piston means; and   means to apply fluid pressure to said fluid chamber to move the said piston means against the tension springs to unlock the ball to permit rotation thereof and repositioning of the said arm means.   
     
     
       2. The device set forth in claim 1 in which the spherical surface on the locking means is roughed to provide friction with the ball. 
     
     
       3. The device set forth in claim 2 in which the fluid chamber includes a portion of an upper surface of the piston means. 
     
     
       4. The device set forth in claim 3 in which the means to apply fluid pressure is adjustable whereby the amount of fluid pressure may be controlled by an operator. 
     
     
       5. The device set forth in claim 4 in which the housing means is open at the top portion to permit the arm to move at least 45 degrees from a vertical position. 
     
     
       6. A workpiece support for holding a workpiece in a desired predetermined position comprising; a spherical ball;   support means secured to the spherical ball and adapted to have a workpiece secured thereto;   socket means partially surrounding the spherical ball within which the ball may rotate;   said socket means having an inner spherical surface of substantially the same radius as the spherical ball;   said inner spherical surface of the socket means being in contact with the spherical ball;   friction means having a spherical surface in contact with the spherical ball;   piston means having a first surface and a second surface;   said first surface being in contact with the friction means;   spring means in contact with the said second surface;   said spring means operable to urge the piston means against said friction means to lock the spherical ball against rotation; and   fluid means being selectively operable to move the piston means against the force of the spring means to release the spherical ball for rotation within the socket means.   
     
     
       7. The workpiece support set forth in claim 6 in which said spring means comprises a plurality of equally spaced coil springs in compression. 
     
     
       8. The workpiece support set forth in claim 6 in which the fluid means includes: a source of fluid under pressure;   a fluid chamber in contact with the piston means; and   valve means connecting the source of fluid under pressure and the fluid chamber.   
     
     
       9. The workpiece support set forth in claim 8 including adjustable regulator means whereby the amount of fluid pressure may be selected. 
     
     
       10. The workpiece support set forth in claim 6 in which the socket means includes an upper socket ring and a lower socket ring; each of said socket rings having an inner spherical surface of substantially the same radius as the spherical ball; and   each inner spherical surface being in contact with the spherical ball.   
     
     
       11. A workpiece support for holding a workpiece in a desired predetermined position comprising; a spherical ball;   support means secured to the spherical ball and adapted to have a workpiece secured thereto;   socket means partially surrounding the spherical ball within which the ball may rotate;   friction means having a friction spherical surface in contact with the spherical ball;   said friction physical surface and said ball being of substantially the same radius;   piston means having a first surface and a second surface;   said first surface being in contact with the friction means;   spring means in contact with the said piston means second surface;   said spring means operable to urge the piston means against said friction means to increase the friction between the friction surface and the spherical ball to lock the ball against rotation;   fluid pressure means being selectively operable to apply fluid pressure to move the piston means against the force of the spring means to decrease the friction between the friction surface and ball to release the spherical ball for rotation within the socket means;   means to adjust the fluid pressure of the fluid pressure means whereby the degree of friction between the friction spherical surface and the ball may be selectively controlled by an operator whereby the ball may be held in a fixed position by a predetermined amount of frictional force.   
     
     
       12. The workpiece support set forth in claim 11 in which said means to adjust the fluid pressure is manually adjustable by an operator. 
     
     
       13. The workpiece support set forth in claim 11 in which said socket means includes an upper socket ring and a lower socket ring; each of said socket rings having an inner spherical surface of substantially the same radius as the spherical ball; and   each inner spherical surface being in contact with the spherical ball.   
     
     
       14. The workpiece support set forth in claim 11 in which the spring means comprises a plurality of equally spaced springs.